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THE 



NEIL FAMILY 



SWEDEN-AMERICA 



1 7 1 8- 1 908 



—BY- 



ROSA NEIL CRANDALL 
JAMESTOWN, N. Y. 






IQ08 
A. M. EDDY PRESS 

ALBION, N. Y. 






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Copyright hv 

RORA NEIL CRANDALL 

1909 



LIBRARY of CONGRESS 

Two CODies Received 

MAY 14 1M09 

'^ Oopyrisnt Entry 
TJCASS' cl, XXc. No, 



Chapter 1. 
IN'THE FATHERLAND. 

IN the southern part of Sweden in the town of 
Versrom is a place by the name of Tribom. 
Here long ago lived a man also named Tri- 
bom, who is an early ancestor of the Swedish 
Neil family in America. He was a soldier under 
Karl XII, whose reign extended from 1697 to 1718, 
Being wounded in battle he came home to die. He 
left a son whose name was Daniel. There may 
have been other children, we do not know. 

This Daniel married a girl Ingel)org by name. 
They lived on a farm, but Daniel served eight 
years in the army. Daniel and Ingeborg had two 
sons and four daughters. Caroline married Carl 
Ljungua, Nils Frederick married Christine, Per 
Nickolas moved to Wharvatown Ostergylen, the 
fourth child, a daughter, married a man by the 
name of Greenland. 

Lena married Samuel Falk, and Anna Britta 
the youngest married Anders of Jyrat. 

The second child and oldest son of the family is 
the only one with wlumi we need concern ourselves 
farther. 

Nils Frederick was born in 1795, in the town of 
Tveta, county of Ivalmar, province of Smaland. 



4 The Neil Family 

He enlisted in the army about ISli, at the tune 
Napolean was fighting the allies. He belonged to 
a company of cavalry, known as Smaland's Hus- 
sars, ISodravebo squadron No. 35. 

There being another Nils Frederick in the same 
coni])any, the Nils was changed to Nihl. 

He married a girl named Christine. 

She was born in the town of Tveta, in the year 
1792. Her father also served in the Swedish 
army. He was killed in the Russian war. Hi& 
name was Byman. 

Nihl Frederick and Christine his wife were 
blessed with six children ; five sons and one daugh- 
ter. The oldest son, Daniel, lived to be only four- 
teen years old. The second son, Carl John, was 
born June 5, 1820. The third son, Adol])h Fred- 
erick, w;is born at ITammersbo, town of Malilla,. 
I)eceml)er 8, 1822. Two years later the family 
moved to Hussartori);it Horfrau. Hussartor]^at 
meaning cavalryman's home, and Horfrau l)eing 
the name of the home farm. 

It may be of interest here to state that these 
homes were furnished by the land-owners. Each 
land-owner was required to set ai)art a portion of 
Ills land for use of the standing ai-my. Some must 
riinilsli a home or two, or more, according to the 
extent of tlieii- ])Ossessions. Sometimes two small 
land-ownei's would unite in furnishing one home. 

And lici-c ;it IIoi-tV;iu, in the town of M.o1illa, 
coinit>- of K'aliiiai-. province of Smaland, T.ouise 



The Neil Family 5 

tlie fourth child and only daughter was born Jan- 
uary 6, 1825. 

Augustus, the fifth child of Nihl Frederick and 
Christine, died at an early age; and another son, 
the sixth and youngest child, born May 15, 1832 in 
the town of Malilla, Smalaud, was also named 
Augustus. 

Here amid the lakes and forests, in the south of 
the Fatherland this Swedish mother reared her 
children, being to them teacher and com})anion as 
well as parent. 

The father, tho' much of the time at home, was 
obliged to attend regular drill a part of each year; 
and was liable, as a good soldier of the king's 
army, to be called away at any moment. 

There were at that time no public schools, and 
parents must themselves provide for the education 
of their children. The children of Nihl Frederick 
received instruction in their own home, together 
with other children whose parents ])referred to 
pay for their schooling. 

Some came in the morning and return- 
ed at night, while others who lived at a distance 
often stayed a week or more at a time. Always 
this busy mother had children other than her own 
under her care. 

I think no meml)er of this household was trou- 
bled with enunui, nor did anyone find it necessary 
to devise means for killing time; but each and ev- 
ery day brought occupation for mind and muscle. 



6 The Neil Family 

There were the daily lessons, the planting and cul- 
tivation of croiis. There was the making of cloth 
and of clothing, and the care of the cattle and 
slice}). 

These nnist continually he guarded while in pas- 
ture, for the swamps and woods abounded in 
wolves, which moved in packs from one locality to 
another. Sometimes fifteen or more might be seen 
moving across the fields hungry and searching for 
food. Then alas for the unguarded flock, or flock 
whose watcher had grown careless. 

And this task of guarding the stock, which 
would seem to us one of great danger was usually 
entrusted to some younger memlier of the family, 
who frightened the creatures away by an occa- 
sional l)hist of the horn which he carried. 

Tlie oldest living son, Carl John, at the age of 
19, also joined the army, Nihl, the father, died in 
1839 of typhoid fever, having served twenty-five 
years. 

Adolph then enlisted as hussar in his father's 
l)hice, and took charge of the farm. 

The one daughter, Louisa, grew to womanhood 
warmheai'ted and kind, always a hel]> and a com- 
fort to the mothei'. 

Young Augustus too had his share in the work 
of the home at an early age. He was often left in 
charge of the grazing cattle and sheep when only 
eight years old, and but once did the savage 
wolves molest the animals in his charge. At that 
time three of the finest of the flock made them a 
lifood meal. 



The Neil Family 7 

When Augustus was thirteen years old he began 
to learn his trade, working with a shoemaker who 
traveled from house to house, making and repair- 
ing shoes for the whole family where he stopped, 
and then passing on to another customer, but gen- 
erally staying at each place long enough to fit each 
member of the household with a year's supply of 
substantial footwear. 

Thus the children of this humble home were 
learning to do for themselves. Later they were to 
become useful and honored citizens of a far dist- 
ant land. 

The oldest son, Carl John, was married Dec. 24, 
1842, being then twenty-two years old, to Louisa 
Marie Swansdotter or Swan's daughter. 

At that time girls were often designated in this 
way, while a boy would be called Swanson if his 
father 's name happened to be Swan. 

There was born to them, 1844, a daughter, 
Christine Sophia, who died in infancy. Another 
daughter, Caroline Sophia, was born March 4, 
1845. A third daughter, Emma, was born March 
5, 1848. A son, Charles Oscar, was born Aug. 4, 
1849, and a second son, John August, was born 
Dec. 4, 1851. 

They had then a little family of two daughters 
and two sons. 

Adolpli Frederick married Anna Kathrina Hal- 
legren, Sept. 13, 1846, and continued to reside at 
the old home at Horfrau. 



8 The Neil Family 

Aug. 23, 1847, there came to them a son, whom 
they named Karl Frederick. He died Sept. 7, 18-1:7. 
Another son was born July 22, 1848. This one they 
named Gustaf Alfred. 

The daughter Louise married John Frank. 

Emigration of Swedes to America was now be- 
coming common. Many letters were written to 
friends in the old country filled with glowing ac- 
counts of the land of freedom, and telling of gold- 
en opportunities held out to rich and poor alike. 

Accordingly the wife and children of Nihl Fred- 
erick, deceased, began to consider the advisability 
of crossing the sea to make for themselves new 
homes beyond. And Augustus, now nineteen years 
old. and fond of adventure, proposed that he, the 
youngest son, without family ties, go first, see the 
country and decide. 



Chapter II. 
IN THE NEW WORLD. 

The year 1851 found him in a strange land. He 
crossed the Atlantic in a sailing vessel and was six 
weeks in making the voyage. 

He traveled over many states. Having actiuain- 
tances in Jamestown, N. Y., concluded to go there. 
He walked for a long time looking for the place 
and at last came to a mile-stone, with hand point- 
ing back to the road over which he had come, and 
reading '*3 mi. to Jamestown." He had been look- 
ing for a larger place and had passed thro' the 
town without seeing it. Soon afterward he located 
in Ashville, seven miles west of Jamestown, work- 
ing for Mr. Wright and afterwards opened a 
shoe maker 's shop of his own. 

As he learned the customs of the country he 
found that here the father's last name descends to 
the children. If he had remained in the old coun- 
try, he would have been known as Augustus Nihl's 
son or Nihlson. He dropped the "son," taking for 
himself and a future family the name of Nihl, or 
with the spelling Americanized, Neil. The other 
brothers on their arrival, did the same. 

Augustus was pleased with the country and its 
ways and the rest of the family prepared to follow 



IQ The Neil Family 

him. They started in June, 1852, a party of 
twelve : The mother, Carl John, his wife and their 
little family of four; Adolph Frederick, his wife 
and one babe; and the daughter Louise with her 
husband. 

They took ship at Goteborg. And at this place 
the one child of Adolph Frederick sickened and 
died. 

After seven weeks on the water they landed at 
New York City, August 4, 1852. They went from 
New York to Dunkirk, then to Buffalo. At Dun- 
kirk, the sister Louise was taken ill with cholera 
and died. At Buffalo the mother died of the same 
disease. 

Adolph Frederick passed the first winter in 
America near Fredonia. 

But' Carl John (or Charlie Neil as he came to be 
known here, and this is the name by which his 
American friends remember him) found himself 
sick in this strange land and unable to work. 
He dropped his last twenty -five cent bill in New 
York City. It fluttered in the wind, a small boy 
grabbed it, darted away and was lost in the crowd. 
He and his little family were taken to the County 
House at Dewittville for the first hard winter. The 
wife, anxious to pay for their keeping, Avorked 
early and late ancl wove while there eight hundred 
yards of clotli. 

There the baby died in Dec, 1852, and Caroline 
Sophia, the oldest living child, at this time about 
seven years old, was adopted into a German fam- 



The Np:il Family U 

ilv. Her i)arents, not knowing what evils might 
befall them in this strange land, were glad, in this 
way to make sure of a good home for one of their 
number. 

She was educated and taught school for a year 
or two, but died of consumption at AVestfield, July 
12, 1865, at the age of 20 years, 4 months and 8 
days. 

For the family of C'harlie Neil, brighter days 
came with the springtime. The father regained 
his health, and they went to housekeeping at Ash- 
ville. New York. Having no money with which to 
buy, their furniture was liome-made and of the 
rudest kind. Pieces of board with holes bored in 
the corners and legs inserted served the purpose 
of chairs. Other articles were of the same simple 
construction. 

Two years later they bought a place of twenty 
acres in Busti. After a time the}" sold this place 
and lived at Boomerstown, New York, one winter. 
Then they lived on a rented place, on the Sugar- 
grove road two years. 

In 1857 Charles became naturalized. In 1858 he 
bought thirty acres of land between Ashville and 
Blockville. It was all wood land. On Christmas 
morning, 1858, with a pair of steers of his own 
raising, Charles drew away the first log to clear a 
place for the house. Here they lived many years. 

Five children were born to them in America. 
Anna Louise was born March 9, 1853, died Jan. 6, 
1856; Joseph, Nov. 3, 1856. Sarah Urana, born. 



The Neil Family 13 

Mar. 15, 1859 ; Ida Paniielia, born March 17, 1861, 
and Jnlia Gertrnde, ])orn A])iil 26, 1863, died May 
1, 18()4. 

Charlie Neil and his wife Louisa were the i)ar- 
ents of ten chiklren, only five of whom are now 
living, 

Angnstus met and loved a young lady of Ameri- 
can parentage. 

Urana Miami Whitford was a person of artistic 
temperament and great beauty of character. She 
was the daughter of Orison and Dorcas Whitford 
and was born in the town of Harmony, Chautau- 
qua County N. Y., Sept. 25, 1833. 

They were married at the home of her parents 
in Harmony, Oct. 1, 1857, Augustus being in his 
26th year and the bride just past 24. 

They began housekeeping at Ashville, New 
York, and have always lived at or near that place. 

While living at Ashville, Adolph Frederick Neil 
received his naturalization papers and was admit- 
ted to the full privileges of American citizenship. 
At Ashville, too, five children were born to them. 
Three of these died there. 

John Frederick was born June 15, 1853. 

Emma Christina, who was born Oct. 7, 1855, 
died of croup June 21, 1858. 

Carl August, born Mar. 7, 1858. 

Johanna Sophia, born ]\lar. 11, 1860. 

These two died of diphtheria Sept., 1861. April 

23, 1862, another child, Oscar Henrik, was born. 

In May,1862, Fi'ederick Neil with his family left 



14 The Neil Family 

Asliville for Minnesota, then the far west. He 
reached his brother-in-law in AVatertown the next 
month. He went farther west and rented a farm 
south of Litchfield. 

One Snnday morning the following September, 
neighbors rode up to his home in great excitement 
telling him the Indians had shot five men at Acton, 
a town a few miles away. This was the l)eginning 
of what is known as the great Sioux Indian war of 
'62. The next day he returned with his neighbors 
to bury the dead men, while the settlers were 
arriving by hundreds, from the farms and prairies 
farther west, l)ound for St. Paul. 

He went with his family to Forest City, where 
he helped to Imild a temporary fort. Here they 
stayed with others seeking safety for a week. 

From here he went to Clearwater; afterward he 
moved through St. Paul and Cannon Falls to 
Vasa, where he stayed over winter. 

In the spring he rented a farm and built a cabin 
half a mile southwest of the ])resent homestead, 
where he lived five years. 

Here the daughter, Emma ]\Iatilda, was born 
Sept. 22, 1805. 

In March, 1868, he built the home in section 2, 
Vasa, Goodhue Co., ]\linn. Here the youngest 
child, Victor Adolph. was boiii June 19, 1869. 





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Chapter III. 
WAR AND PEACE. 

We come now to speak of a bitter period in the 
nation's history, a time of hardship in the history 
of the families of the nation, a time of trial for the 
souls of men. 

What of the souls of women, who waited at home 
to care for the lonely, helpless families; to pre- 
pare and send boxes of home fare and home com- 
forts to send to dear ones far away, to eagerly 
scan the daily published lists of dead and injured; 
to find sometimes the name of a loved one, perhaps 
among the wounded, and to long to know how se- 
vere was tiie injury, perhaps among the dead that 
never return : 

Do they not deserve equal honor with those who 
faced the bullets amid the excitement of battle f 
Thankful indeed may we l)e that those days were 
not for us. 

When Abraham T.incoln sent out a call for vol- 
unteers the s])irit of heroism awoke throughout 
the huul among all classes and conditions of men. 
The call came to (liarles Neil in the field, to Au- 
gust in the sho]), to Adolph Frederick in the west 
and the blood of a soldier ancestry stirred within 
them. 




Charles and Augustus Neil. 



Charles and ^Augustus joined the 112th Regi- 
ment, New York Voliinteevs, Company 1)., in Aug., 
1862. 

Both families accompanied them to Jamestown. 
Urana, the wife of i^ngiistus, and his two little 
daughters, (the eldest of these, Lois Evangeline, 
was born June 17, 1858; t!ie younger one, Pearlie 




Augustus Neil 



Urana Neil 



The Neil Family 19 

Selma, was born Feb. 5, 1860), and the wife and 
children of Charles, who never saw him again. 

Charles served his conntry only about one year. 
He was ])romoted to corporal in the s]n*ing of 1863 
and died of cold and exposure at Folly Island, S. 
C, Aug. 29, 1863, and lies 1)ui ied there. 

At the time of his death there were six children 
living. The oldest, Emma, about fifteen years and 
six months old, Oscar, a few days past fourteen, 
Joseph, Sarah and Ida aged respectively six, four 
and two, and the baby whom the father had never 
seen, just four months oil. She died the next 
May. 

They all had to work. Both boys and girls learn- 
ed to drive and to milk, to handle a hoe and a rake. 

But children will find a time for their fun, and 
some of their recreations certainly had the charm 
of novelty. Some of the children were ([uite exi)ert 
at bareback riding, and it was at one time the 
great delight of one of the daughters to speed over 
the snow on a handsled, while holding fast to the 
tail of a spotted calf. 

Louise was married again Pept. 28, 1868, to 
John Turnwall, a gentle, quiit man, who was to 
her a good husband, and a kind father to her chil- 
dren. 

She lived to see her cliiliven all married and in 
homes of their own. She died Aug. 29, 18S(). 

August served until the close of the war, and 
was discharged with the regiment June 13, 1865. 




John Ti.:rnv\/3M l.oi;ire Neil Turnwall 



The Neil Family 21 

He was not seriously wounded, but was sick and 
was sent to the liospital the 30th day of July, 1863, 
where he remained until the 11th of September fol- 
lowing. He was then sent to the regiment on Folly 
Island, 8. C. At this place he first learned of the 
death of his brother, Charles. 

He proved unfit for duty and was sent to the 
general hospital at Hilton Head, S. C, Nov. 11, 
1863. Was sent home on furlough Feb. 1, 1864. 

He was not able to return when the furlough ex- 
l)ired. He sent a surgeon's certificate, but was or- 
dered to report to the Provost Marshal at Roch- 
ester. He did so April 28, 1864, and by him was 
sent to St. Mary's Hospital. He was able to report 
May 15 to the regiment, then stationed in Virginia. 

He was taken prisoner August 25, 1864. Re- 
mained a prisoner until March 2, 1865, about six 
months. He was in Libby, Salisbury and Belle 
Isle prisons. 

He found on his return home a little daughter, 
then between five and six months old, which he had 
not seen. She was born the 3rd day of January, 
1865. They named her Rosa Ruth. Her first trip 
from home was when she was about three months 
old, with her mother to attend the funeral servi- 
ces held in Ashville for Abraham Lincoln. 

The fourth child and oldest son. Grant Earl, was 
born April 8, 1868. Another son, Charles Freder- 
ick, was born Oct. 1, 1870. 



22 The Neil Family 

Xellie Narcissi was born Oct. 8, 1873. But on 
the 20tli day of Marcli, 1875, she died of whooping 
cough, leaving only a memory of her bright baby 
ways to be cherished through all the years. Espe- 
cially sweet is the thought of the merry days they 
had nmoug the maple leaves the fall liefore she 
died. 



We covered the baby with maple leaves. 

She laughed at the colors gay; 
And she laughed as the fairy fingers tossed 

Them far on the wind away; 
And gaily she laughed as they floated down 
Caressing the curls so soft and brown. 



Again whirled the leaves on the autumn air, 

In a red golden spray; 
But we heard not the baby's merry laugh 

As she tossed the leaves away. 
And all unheeding above the mold 
The leaves dropped their covering of 
red and gold. 



Jan. 2, 1876, another l)al)y came and great was 
the joy; for though a l)oy, they all felt he would in 
a way take the place of lost Nellie. He was named 
Daniel Augustus. 

The three girls and three boys grew to maturity, 
and at present are all living in (1iautau(iua county. 
New York. 

The wife and mother died of pneumonia, Christ- 
mas, 1892. She was sick only a few days and died 
at Lakewood. She was taken sick on the street car 




Old homestead of Augustus Neil, at Ashville, New York. 



24 The Neil Family 

aud was so very ill that it was impossible to take 
her home. Husbaud aud children did all possible 
for her relief, but without avail. 

A gentle wife and mother. 

So patient all day long; 
Her smile was bright with a heavenly light, 

Her life was one sweet song. 

The father lives at the old home with his son, 
Charles. 

During- the war Adolph Frederick belonged to 
the home guard, but was never called into actual 
service. He died at his home in Vasa of diabetes, 
March 24, 1898, at the age of 75 years. 

He was sick a little over a year. He was always 
a kind and indulgent husl)and and father. 

He died in the belief that he was going home to 
his Savior, and exhorted his friends to meet him 
there. 

His wife still lives at their home with the daugh- 
ter Emma. Only four of their nine children are 
now living. They have settled in different parts 
of the west. 

We find then three branches of the Xeil family, 
descendants of Charles and .Augustus Neil, living 
in New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio, the descend- 
ants of Adoli)h and Frederick in the west; whose 
fortunes we will follow in due course. 



Capter IV. 
NEW HOMES. 



Descendants of Charles. 

According to the laws of nature the old home 
must give up its treasures, the young must go 
forth to fashion other homes where new souls will 
come into being, grow and develop in their turn 
find other homes and so on and on. 

To the child, the home is the place of all others, 
the center of the universe. But the child grows to 
maturity, makes another home for himself while 
the heart still clings tenderly to the home of his 
childhood ; one by one the other children do the 
same until the parents are left the two as they 
began. 

Death calls and where is the home that to the 
child seemed the one enduring fact of earth, only 
a dream. 

The first of the Neils of the new world to l)reak 
the home circle, except indeed those who were call- 
ed away by death, the first to choose a mate and to 
try to make a place for himself in the world was 

CHARLES OSCAR NEIL, 
the oldest son of Charles, who died at Folly Island 
during the war. 



26 The Neil Family 

Charles Oscar Xeil was married to Christine 
Johnson Jan. 2, 1873. 

She was born in Sweden, Dee. 2, 1851. 

They went to honsekeeping near Chantanqna 
Lake, about a mile from Ashville. 

Two children came to them there. The oldest, 
Charles Luther, was born March 3, 1871, and died 
before two years of age, Feb. 8, 1876. The 29tli of 
July, the same year, a daughter was born, Julia 
Louisa. The young wife was taken away when this 
child was only five months old. She died Dec. 21, 
1876. They were living then near the old home- 
stead. After her death, Oscar carried the little 
one in its cradle to his mother. This baby died 
Feb. 5, 1877. 

Oscar lived single over fifteen years, working 
sometimes on a farm, some of the time running a 
threshing machine, and a part of the time working 
in the Pennsylvania oil region. 

July 9, 1892, he married Amelia Augusta 
Kofoed. She was born in Denmark Aug. 2, 1870, 
aud came to America when about nineteen years 
old. 

They began housekeei)ing at the old homestead 
of diaries Neil, near Ashville. They moved to 
Jamestowu iu 1895. < 

Tlicy lia\e had twelve cliildrcii. The first were 
twins, Carl and Amel, born Feb. 23, 1893; both 
died. The next one, Julia Matine, was born Dec. 
1 1. ]xu:\. She lived but four davs. Carl Amel was 




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28 The Neil Family 

born March 5, 1895, and died July 1, 1897. Lillie 
Anna Florence was born Nov. 7, 1896, and died 
Mar. 28, 1898. Theodore, l)orn Feb. 5, 1898, lived 
2'2 days. Hazel Frances, born Jmie 28, 1899, and 
Oscar Frank, born Feb. 6, 1901 ; these two are liv- 
ing. Alice Amelia, born Oct. 26, 1902, lived Init 3 
days. Blanch, born Dec. 30, 1903, lived only 13 
days. Alida Louise, born June 27, 1905, living only 

Nina Nellie, the youngest, was born April 5, 
1907. 

Roy was born Sept. 5, 1908; died Sept. 9, 1908. 



EMMA NEIL 

was married Feb. 27, 1873, to Samuel Arnont, a 
widowed neighbor, a veteran of the war of 1812. 

He was born Mar. 1, 1795, and died Feb. 15, 
1884, and left his widow a life pension of $12 a 
month; also a little home, which she rents. She 
boards with her brother, Joseph. 




Emma Neil Arnont 




Joseph Neil. 




Mrs. Joseph Neil 



32 



The Neil Family 



JOSEPH NEIL 

went to work drilling for oil at Bradford, Pa., in 
1875. After three or foni- years he went to Yonngs- 




Joseph Neil. 

town, ()., to w()i-k ]u a l)hist fnrnaoe. He stayed 
there three yeais and then went to Texas, herding 
cattle. Afterwaid lie was in Kansas a year, and 



34 The Neil Family 

in Missouri two years. At the time of liis mother's 
death he eame home and stayed three years. He 
then went l)ack into the Pennsylvania oil region 
for three or four years, and then came back to 
Ashville, N. Y., married there and has lived there 
since that time. 

Thev have onlv one child, Nellie, born at Ash- 
ville, New York, Sept. 2, 1888. She has worked in 
Jamestown cloth factories much of the time. She 
was married to Emmet Morris^on Nov. 16, 1908, and 
is at present living in Corry, Pa. 



SARAH URANIA NEIL 

married at an early age. Her husband, Charles 
Walburg, was born in Sweden, April 20, 1846. He 
drilled two years in the Swedish army and came to 
America in 1870. 

They were married June "20, 1874, and went to 
housekeeping in the town of Busti. X. Y. After 
foui- months they moved to Panama, living there 
one and one-half years. 

Tlicy bouglit their ]n'eseiit home near Ashville, 
N. v., ill 1878. Tho' only ;i child of fifteen when 
she assumed the duties of a wife and the cares of a 
home, she never fouml occasion to regret her 
choice. Her husband, who was thirteen years her 
senior, was most kind ami loving. 



The Neil Family 35 

Four children blessed their union. Charles Wil- 
liam, the oldest son, was born May 13, 1875, at the 
home near Ashville. 

When sixteen and seventeen years old he clerk- 
ed in a grocery store for Mr. (Ilea son. After work- 
ing on a farm for a few years he entered the em- 
ploy of Cook &: Treat, grocers, of Jamestown, New 
York. He staved with them nearlv two vears. 
Then in partnership with his brother-in-law, Jay 
Holbrook, he bought a farm at Ashville, where he 
lives at the present time. 

He was married Nov. 24, 1908, to Emma John- 
son, of Niobe, N. Y. She was born June 26, 1880, 
at Niobe, Chautauqua county. New York. She 
worked three years in the hospital at Warren, and 
was postmistress at Niolie for a time. 

Alma Louisa, the second child, was born May 18, 
1879, at Ashville, N. Y., and was married Mar. 8, 
1900. 

Her liusl)and. Jay Hol))rook, was born at Open 
Meadows, New York, Mar. 26, 1876. 

Thev have one child, Hernice Louise, l)orn ]\ray 
30, 19(k 

The third child of .Sarah and Charles Walburg, 
Ida Helena, was bom Mar. 3, 1881= and died ]\Iar. 
12, 188L 

Fred Walburg, was born Mar. 3, 188{), at Ash- 
ville. He married Jennie Caroline Lindstrom, Dec. 
22, 1904. They have one son, Charles Andrew, born 
April 26, 1908. 




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3 

re 



Z 
re 

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03 

TJ 

re 

3 

re 



TO 

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The Neil Family 37 

She was born in Sweden, Feb. 21, 1881. She 
came to America when five years old. 

They live on his mother 's place. They have one 
child, Charles ,Andrew Walbnrg, born April 26, 
1908. 

Mr. Walburg died after a lingering illness May 
12, 1904, deeply mourned by his family and 
friends. He is bnried at Ashville. 

Sarah lived at the old home until the spring of 
1905, she moved with her son and daughter's fam- 
ily to an adjoining farm, known locally as the Wal- 
burg and Holbrook place. 

She is a most kind and helpful neighbor and 
friend. No one in sickness or trouble asks in 
vain for help that she is able to give. 



IDA PARMELIA NEIL, 

attended the district school until 1875, and then 
went to the Union School at Jamestown. She hel^l 
a certificate for teaching at the age of fifteen. Sh^ 
married Sept. 17, 1881. 

Henry Carlson, the husband of her choice, was 
born in Southern Sweden, 1855. He came to 
America when seventeen years old. After work- 
ing on a farm in Busti for a time, he went to the 
Pennsylvania coal mines, where he worked eight 



38 The Neil Family 

months. From there he went to Bradford and 
worked an oil lease four years. 

They went to housekeeping at Bradford, Pa. 
Afterward they bought a place near Ashville, N. 
Y., built a house and lived there thirteen years. 

In 1895 they moved to Jamestown, where Mr- 
Carlson follows the bricklayer's trade. They 
bought a lot, built a house, and in 1902 moved into 
their new home, No. 11 Newland Ave., where they 
still reside. 

They are the parents of seven children, Minnie,, 
the oldest, was born at Bradford, July 17, 1882. 
She attended school until sixteen years old. After- 
ward she worked in one of the cloth factories of 
Jamestown. She died Sept. 13, 190(5, after a short, 
malignant attack of typhoid fever. 

She was a jolly, kind-hearted girl, the life of the 
home. 



Gone, gone is the loving sister, 
The daughter so kind and dear; 

But often the echoes come ringing, 
And they fancy her spirit is near. 

A snatch of song in the distance, 
Or a laugh from the room above, 

Keeps the heart athrob with the echoes 
Of a voice that they know and love. 

They seem to hear her footsteps. 

Her voice at the open door; 
With her cheery call, "Where is mother?" 

'Tis an echo! She comes no more. 



The Neil Family 39 

Charles Martin Carlson, the second child, was 
born near Ashville, Chautauqua County, N. Y., 
Nov. 11, 1883. He attended the village school from 
1888 to 1895. He went thro ' the Jamestown Gram- 
mar School, and also spent some time at High 
School and Business College. He enlisted in the 
United States regular army, April 30, 1901, quali- 
fied as marksman 1902, was appointed corporal 
July 30, 1903, and was honorably discharged at 
the expiration of his enlistment. Services, honest 
and faithful ; character, excellent. At present he 
is inspector for the Standard Steel Car Co., But- 
ler, Pa. 

Esther Louise, was born near Ashville, N. Y., 
. Juh^ 10, 1888. She was seven years old when her 
parents moved to Jamestown, and has worked in 
one of the cloth factories for the past four years. 

The other children are boys, all born at James- 
town: 

Henry Milton, born Sept. 10, 1895. 

Robert Stanley, born Jan. 19, 1897. 

Wilbur Lleweilvn, born Apr. 11, 1900. 

Ealph Theodore, born Mar. 19, 1902. 

Just as a curious fact, and because such occur- 
■ rences are rare, I mention here that Robert Carl- 
son was born with two teeth. 



Chapter V. 

DESCEAWANTS OF 
ADOLPH FREDERICK NEIL. 

Of the nine children of Adolph Frederick only 
four grew to maturity. Of these John Frederick 
was the oldest. He was married to Betsy Peterson, 
Nov. 6, 1880, l)eing then thirty years of age. His 
wife was born Oct. 10, 1862. 

They had one child, Florence Olivia, born May 
5, 1882. 

When this little daughter was one and a half 
years old, the mother died, Dec. 12, 1883. John 
Frederick was married again Nov. 6, 1884:, to 
Mary Clausen, who was born Dec. 31, 1861. Of 
this second marriage there were six children, three 
girls and 'hree boys. Florence Olivia Neil, 
the daughter of John Frederick by his first wife, 
married Tom Fisher, Oct. 10, 1901. There has 
been two children by this marriage, Roy Allen 
Fisher, born Aug. 31, 1902, and Florence Lottie 
Fisher, born Nov. 26, 1903. Little Florence died 
June 1, 1904. Nannie Alvina Neil, the old- 
est daughter o f the second marriage, w a s 
boi-n Feb. 27, 188(); married Nels C. Nelson, a mer- 
(•liniit of Fcrudalc. Wash., wlicre thov reside. 



The Neil Family 41 

Agnes Alida Neil, the second daughter, was born 
March 13, 1887. Married Robert Davidson Wood, 
Nov. 24, 1904. They also live in Ferndale, Wash. 

Fred Edmund Neil, the first boy, was born May 
20, 1889. 

Rudolph Henry Neil was born Aug. 3, 1892. 

Linda Christina Neil was born Sept. l4, 1897. 

W^endell Victor Neil was born Dec. 31, 1900. 

John Frederick Neil moved from Minnesota to 
Ferndale many years ago. 

Oscar Henrik Neil completed a common school 
education at Vasa, Minn., and attended school at Au- 
gustina College, Rock Island, 111., three years. He 
married Jennie Sarah Johnson Sept. 19, 1888, being at 
that time twenty-six years old, and his bride eighteen. 

He became a country school teacher, but, in No- 
vember, 1893. bought the "Kenyon Leader," of 
Kenyon, Minn. Five years later he sold the 
"Leader,' 'and in 1900 started the '^ Minnesota 
Signal." 

In 1902 he leased out the paper, and, hoping to 
improve the health of his wife, who had been sick 
for two years, he moved to Seattle, Wash. 

Here in September, 1902, he bought a half inter- 
est in the ''Western Tribune." His wife grew 




Oscar Neil. 



The Neil Family 43 

worse and iu January, 1903, he sold the ''Tri- 
bune" and moved to a farm on Laconner Fhits. 
Here the wife died April 28, 1904. 

She left three children aged respectively twelve,, 
eleven and nine. 

Albert Frederick Neil was born April 30, 1892. 

Rosa Evangaline Neil, born Oct. 15, 1893. 

Clarence Adolphus Neil,, born Mar. 26, 1895. 

They have l)een a great help and comfort to> 
their father thro ' the years that followed. 

In July, 1904, he moved to Bellingham, Wash.,, 
and bought ' ' The Times. ' ' In October he bought 
' ' The Blade, ' ' and consolidated the two under the 
name of "The Whatcom County Tribune." 

Finding this small weekly a losing venture, he 
suspended publication and started the ' ' Nya Varl- 
den," (New World), which, after many struggles 
he has succeeded in putting on a paying basis. 

At the present time (1908) he is a Republican 
candidate for governor of Washington. 



EMMA MATILDA NEIL 

was a school teacher. I know of no better way 
than to let her tell her own story as written in a 
poem to her husband on his birthdav, May 28^ 
1906. 

If you would care to listen, 

A story I will tell, 
About a country schoolma'am, . 

I think you know her well. 



44 The Neil Family 

For I was once a teacher. 

As sure as I'm alive. 
I taught in district fifty-six 

In eighteen' ninety-five. 

I boarded at your father's place. 

You asked me once in May 
To share your joys and sorrows 

And with you ever stay. 

I 1 answered " yes " and we were wed 

November sixth that year. 
Since then we've shared each trouble 
And every hope and fear. 

Seven little habies dear, 
■^ Were sent our home to bless; 

To fill our hands with labor, 
And soothe us with caress. 

To fill our house with laughter. 

And sound of tiny feet, 
To us the wide world over 

No music is so sweet. 

First came our little Esther, 

(Catherine, born Aug. 17, 1S96.) 

A hlue-eyed baby fair; 
Her father's very image, 

With sunny flaxen hair. 

Next came hrown-eyed Olaf, 

(Edward Adolph, born Sept. 6, 1897). 

A houncing baby lad; 
And he was like his mother. 

Which made the father glad. 



And soon in quick succession 

Another l)oy arrived; 
We called him Harold Frithiof, 
(Born Dec. 2, 189-8). 

He also lived and thrived; 



The Neil Family 45 

And next blue-eyed Clara 

(Elizabeth, born May 27, 1900.) 

Appeared with us to stay. 
She came the twenty-seventh, 

And in the month of May. ;; 

And when two happy years had gone, 

A tiny brown-eyed lass, 
Our Helen came, May twenty-fourth, 

(Helen Christine, born May 24, 1902.) 

Her life with us to pass. 

The next newcomer was a boy, 

Knute Victor is his name; 
(Born Jan. 19, 1904.) 
He came one stormy winter night, ' 

But he was not to blame. 

Anna Marie came last of all. 
(Born Oct. 23, 19'0o. ) 

She very seldom cries, 
A dimpled bit of humanity, 

With sparkling dark brown eyes. 

This then completes the list of seven, 

With all their i:lay and noise; 
Four happy winsome lassies, 

Three sturdy, dark-eyed boys. 

They keep us very busy, 

Their many wants to fill; 
But love will lighten labor 

And make it pleasant still. 

It takes a deal of hustling 

To furnish such a brood 
With clothes and shoes and stockings. 

Their mouths with drink and food. 

O may the heavenly father give 

Us wisdom, patience, love. 
To teach them rightly how to live 

To reach our home above. 



46 The Neil Family 

To us the changes have come fast; 

Not many pairs there be 
Who gather round them such a crowd, 

Their tenth anniversary. 

The neighbors gave us a surprise, 

And declved the table fine. 
When we invited were, to sup. 

In all we numbered nine. 

They brought us gifts of many kinds 
To show their friendship true; 
And very many glad returns 
They wished to me and you. 

My aged parents lived with us 

Two years, three months and more. 

When father was from pain released. 
Death opened wide the door. 

But mother, dear, is with us still, 

God bless each willing hand! 
In faith she patiently awaits 

The call from Beulah Land. 

So now we journey side by side, 

And I am glad to say 
We still are just as happy, 

As on our wedding day. 

O may the Lord be merciful. 

And let us live together 
Until the sunset of our lives, 

Through storms and pleasant weather. 

Later, Eriiina (Te()ri>inna was born Sept. 22, 1907. 

George Solhiirg, the husband, is from Holden. 
He is the son of a Norwegian school teaeher and 
farmer, and has spent the greater part of his life 
on a farm. 



The Neil Family 



47 




They live on the okl homestead of Adol])h Fred- 
erick, at Vasa, Minn. 




Victor Neil and Wife 



The Neil Family 



49 



VICTOR NEIL, 

tlie youngest son of Adolpli Frederick, attended 
tlie distriet school nntil thirteen years old. He 
then entered Red Wing high school. His attend- 




FIRST CLASS MALE 
Victor Neil and Son 



ance was of ne:essity irreguhir, as he stayed out 
to teach school and at times to hel]) with the work 



50 



The Neil Family 



of the faim. He graduated at the age of twenty. 

After teaching another year he entered the engi- 
neering dei)artment of the University of Min- 
nesota. 

In 1895 he left school and decided to seek out- 
door employment on account of ill health. 

He has heen letter carrier in ^Minneapolis since 
tliat time. 

He married Christine Erickson, of Brooten, 
:\rinn., Xov. 17, 1898. 

In 1904 he bought a fruit farm of twenty-six 
acres at Mound, Minn., on Lake Minnetonka. This 
is one of the suhurhs of ^Minneapolis and has since 
been his home. 





Home of Edward Whitford, Niobe, N. Y. 
Edward Whitford, Lois Whitford, Lois Crandall. 



Chapter VI. 
DESCEXDAXTS OF AUGUSTUS XEIL. 

LOIS E\^ANGELINE NEIL, 

the oldest dniigliter, united with the M. E. church,, 
at Ash vi lie, ^Yhen al)ont seventeen years old. 

She married August 28, 1884. 

Her hushand, Edward AVhitford, was l)orn in 
the town of Harmony, May -1, 1854. A l)rotlier was 
also born at the same time and place. They were 
the oldest children of Dennis and Rebecca AVhit- 
ford. 

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Whitford went to liouse- 
keeping- at Panama, New York, and after a little 
wliiJe, liought them a home there, which they trad- 
ed for a farm near Niobe in 1902. Here they still 
live. 

Mis. Lois Whitford is a member of the W. C. T. 
\J., and has always lived a consistent Christian 
life. They have no children, but her namesake, 
Lois Crandall, the daughter of a younger sistei", 
made her home with them five years. 

PEAHL SEL:\1A NEIL 
received a common school education at the village 
school, learned the dressmaker's trade in James- 



The Neil Family 53 

town, New York, when alioiit eighteen years old, 
where she worked for four years. 

She was married when twenty-two years old, 
Feb. 20, 1882, to Warren Delmont Everett, a 
young man from Ohio. 

They began life together at Unionville, Lake 
Oounty, Ohio. Afterward they moved to Paines- 
ville, where they lived a few years ; then returned 
to Unionville. y 

There were three children, all boys. 

Carl Augustus Everett, was born Nov. 14, 1883, 
near Painesville. 

Harry Delmont Everett, was ^jorn Oct. 11, 1885. 

Burt Neil Everett, was born at Unionville, Dec. 
4, 1887. 

AVhen Burt was five years old, Mrs. Everett 
sought and obtained a divorce from her husband. 
She came with her boys to Jamestown, N. Y. 

She supported herself and them by working at 
her trade until 1902; when she accepted a position 
with the American Clothing Co., as head of the 
ladies' department. 

In the spring of 1906, her eyes failing, she 
moved to Fluvanna. In the fall of 1907, she moved 
to Falconer, and later to Jamestown again. 

Carl, her oldest boy, left school at the age of 
fourteen, and took the place of elevator boy at the 
Fenton building, corner Main and Second St. 

He took an interest in engineering, and l)y help- 
ing the engineer in the basement at odd times, 



54 The Neil Family 

(jualified liimself to take that position wlieii it was 
open. While working there he took a course in en- 
gineering in the Scranton Correspondence School,, 
passed a civil service examination and was offered 
a position in a public institution at Bedford, New 
York. He left there to accept a more lucrative po- 
sition at New York city, where he is at present. 

He married Linda Perry, of Syracuse, Nov. 15, 
1907. Thev have a son, Curtis Roland, born Nov. 
27, 1908. 

Harry graduated from the Jamestown High 
School in 1901. He had helped his brother out of 
school hours, and was able to take his place in the 
Fenton building when he went to Bedford. 

He passed a civil service examination and took 
a position at the Jamestown water works at Le- 
vant. Later he received an appointment at gov- 
ernment sanitarium for the treatment of tubercu- 
losis at Raybrook, in the Adirondack region. New 
York. 

Burt, the youngest, took charge of the Fenton 
Iniilding elevator when his oldest brother accepted 
the position of engineer, and when the brothers ac- 
cepted other positions, he took charge of the 
engine. 

ROSA RUTH NEIL, 

daughter of Augustus and Urana Neil, attended 
the village school and later went to Jamestown. 
Union School. 



Tpie Neil Family 

When sixteen she went to Ohio with her mother 
to visit her sister, Vv^ho was living at Unionville at 
that time. She stayed there and taught school for 
a number of vears. 




The Home of Rosa Neil Crandall, Ellery, N. Y. 



She was married the first day of May, 1885, at 
her fatlier's home in Ashville, to F. C. Crandall,. 
of Trumbull, Ohio. 



56 The Neil Family 

They went to housekeeping near Grand River, 
about 2 1-2 miles from Rock Creek, Ohio. 

Here a daughter was born, March 8, 1886. They 
named her Katie Dorcas. 

Afterward they moved to Rock Creek, where 
Mr. Crandall worked in a grist mill. While living 
here thev had three children. 

Cliffoi-d Neil was born Jan. 8, 1888. ; Glen Gil- 
bert, Feb. 10, 1890, and Urana Ruth, April 26, 
1892. 

From here they moved to Trumbull, 0., where 
they bought a half interest in a flour and feed mill, 
Mr. Graves owning the other half. After a few 
years Mr. Graves sold out to H. 1. Crandall. In 
1900, H. I. Crandall bought the other half and 
took charge of the business alone. 

F. C. Crandall and his family then moved to 
Trumbull Center. 

During this time there were three more cMl- 
dren. Lois Pearl, born the 1st day of June, 1895 ; 
James Gerald, Ijorn July 26, 1898, and Irving Au- 
gustus, born May 3, 1900. 

Mr. C^-andall went to Thompson to work and in 
1902 Mrs. Crandall with her children came to 
Jamestown. 

She did plain sewing at home, and when an op- 
])()rtunity oflered, learned the tailor's trade. The 
older boys delivered ])apers. One of the little 
girls went to live with a sister and the youngest 
«hild stayed with a cousin at Ashville two vears. 



The Neil Family 57 

Not liking the work in the tailor shop, on ac- 
<;onnt of being away when the children came home 
from school, Mrs. Crandall rented a larger house 
and took boarders until the summer of 1906. That 
summer she was in the hospital five weeks, with 
blood poison, resulting from a felon. She hired a 
woman to run the home. This trouble left her with 
a crippled hand. 

x\bout this time she secured a divorce from her 
husband and share of his property. After leaving 
the hospital she bought a farm of fifty acres in the 
town of EUery, about four miles back from Chau- 
tauqua Lake. Here she lives at the present time, 
and has resumed the occupation of her youth, 
teaching the past year in school No. 9, EUicott. 

At Jamestown the oldest daughter, Katie, work- 
ed in a paper box factory until she married. 

They were married at Jamestown, Feb. 8, 1904. 

Their first child, Gladys, was born at James- 
town, July 12, 190-t, and died July 15, 1901. 

They moved to Painesville, and here a son, 
Ealph Harold, was born Feb. 11, 1907. 

They afterward lived in Buffalo, and at present 
are at Tobyhanna, Pa. 

Urana Ruth Crandall was married November 8, 
1908, to Claude Sterns of Ellery, New York. 

Clifford Neil Crandall, after coining to James- 
town, attended school, delivering papers out of 
school hours and working on a farm summers, but 



58 



The Neil Family 



in 1904 obtained work in the Voting Machine 
works, and worked there two years. At present he 
is overseeing a farm in Ellery. 




Augustus Neil, Daughter, Granddaughter and Great-grandson 



Glen Gilbert Crandall attended the Jamestown 
schools, delivering pa])ers ont of school hours as 
did his older brother, until fourteen vears old. 



The Neil Family 



59 




Glen Crandail after the trip 



In the summer of 1908 he took a trip on a motorcycle 
through Canada and back to Akron, riding 800 miles in seven 
days. 



go The Neil Family 

Then he worked in a bicycle repair shop for two 
years. He then opened a repair shop of his own, 
i)nt after a year gave his brother the use of the 
tools at the farm, and went to work at Akron, 0., 
where he is at present. 

The other children are with their mother at the 
farm. 



GRANT EARL NEIL, 

the oldest son of Angnstus and Urana Neil, began 
teaching school when seventeen years old, at No. 
11, Harmony. He taught there two years. The 
next year he attended school in Jamestown, then 
resumed teaching. He taught at No. 12, Har- 
mony, at Charlotte, at Gerry, and at Lakewood 
three years, from 1902 to 1905. 

When twenty-eight years old he was elected 
school commissioner of the first Harmony district, 
and held the office six years. 

He was admitted to the l)ar in 1903. 

He was in Kansas in 1901: and 1905, leasing oil 
property and drilling for oil. 

His wife, Lilla Campbell, was born two miles 
from Grand Valley, AVarren County, Pa., Jan. 18, 
1870. She came to New York State, April 15, 1887. 

They were married Feb. 18, 1888. There were 
four ciiildren, only one of these, the oldest, is now 
living. 

Bessie Neil was born at Charlotte, Feb. 8, 1891. 



The Neil Family 61 

James Dewey Neil was born at Asliville, May 8, 
1898, and died June 9, 1899. 

Hazel Neil, Ikhii at Asliville, July 7, 1900, died 
in infancy. 

Sadie Neil, born at Jamestown, March 6, 1903, 
died in infancy. 

In 1906 tliey bought a farm two miles from Asli- 
ville. Here they reside at the present time. 

CHARLES FREDERICK NEIL 

Received a common school education, and worked at 
various occupations. While working in the creamery 
at Gerry, New York, he met Inez G. Stearns, who 
became his wife March 21, 1893. They went to house- 
keeping at Gerry and afterward moved to Ashville. 
They are the parents of three children. Ashton Sterns 
Neil was born March 24, 1896. Helen Urana Neil was 
born at Ashville, July S, 1901. Dorothy Ruth Neil was 
born July 10, 1908. Charles Neil was mail carrier on 
a rural route many years, and was appointed post- 
master at Ashville, July 18, 1906, and holds the office 
.^ t present. 

DANIEL AUGUSTUS NEIL 

Began teaching school at the age of sixteen and 
taught eleven years in the public schools of Chautauqua 
county, New York. At present he is working at the 
Sherman House, Jamestown, New York. 



62 



The Xeil Family 



From Dtxniel to Daniel. 

Now rest the ancient warrior. 

Who fought for his king to the last; 
And peace to thee, hrave Daniel, 

Return to the dim old past. 



Rest Nils, the gallant soldier. 

Who died in his native land; 
These sleep near the graves of their fathers, 

The hail, to the little band. 



That sailed across the water 
To find new scenes, new ways; 

And were weeks in making the voyage 
Now made in a few short days. 



And hail, to the lad Augustus, 

Sent on the land to view; 
Whose letters gave them courage. 

For this venture strange and new. 



They had heard of a wonderful country 

Afar and across the sea; 
Where all had peace and plenty. 

The beautiful land of the free. 



That was ruled alone by the people, 

Where they gathered gold from the ground; 

And all alike were brothers, 

They sought our shores. Here they found 



A grave for the mother and sister. 

A grave on American soil 
Found sickness, hunger and hardships, 

And years of poverty's toil. 



The Xeil Family 63 



In the West they found the redmen. 

Dealing out terror and pain; 
In the South were dark-skinned brothers, 

Groaning 'neath Slavery's chain. 

They fought for the cause of freedom, 

At cruel war's behest; 
And Charles in the sunny Southland. 

Was laid to his last long rest. 



Away from home, among strangers, 
Away from children and wife; 

He gave his adopted country, 
All he could give — his life. 



And passed to a strange new country. 
The first of the brothers three; 

Did he find the land of their dreaming 
The beautiful land of the free? 



And Adolph from life departed. 
In one of the western states; 

And there the call to meet him. 
The wife of his youth awaits. 



Just one of the three is left us. 

And beyond the swelling tide 
There awaits, in the beautiful country 

His sweet American bride. 



O, children of Charles, of Augustus, 
Adolph, away in the West; 

May the fires of kindred affection, 
Burn brightly within each breast. 



May your love reach back to Daniel. 

The warrior Tribom's son; 
Down to Daniel, son of Augustus, 

To the children, and those vet to come. 



64 



The Neil Family 



Has a brother or sister wronged you? 

'Tis better to suffer than sin; 
You may not know the temptation, 

Or the bitterness ranlvling within. 

Is anv so pure and so perfect, 

That a judge, he, condemning, may stand r 
Nay, forgive and forget, extending 

To all a welcoming hand. 

To the daughters and sons of Augustus, 

O, brothers and sisters of mine; 
To the sons of Charles and the daughters, 

May the best Life can give be thine. 

And to all the decendants of Adolph, 

Scattered throughout the West; 
Of the good gifts that Life has to offer. 

May you have the fairest and best. 

Here's to all our numerous kindred, 

\ love that is warm and true, 
Peace and joy be with you henceforward, 

Now and forever,— Adieu ! . .tt^ * t t 

—ROSA NEIL CRANDALL. 








iC^^ 





M- 


1^^.^'^, 



The Neil Family 65 

Washington!, Sept. 14, 1862. 
We have been on the cars night and day until we came to 
this place. Our journey has been pleasant and all are in good 
spirits, and have been well provided for. 

I let you know that folks are glad to see us come. We don't 
know where we will be sent yet. We will put our trust in God 
and in his name go forth to meet what lies before us. 

Yours in haste, 

A. NEIL. 



Suffolk, the 20th Sept., 1862. 
Dear Wife and Children: — 

It was one week last night since I left Jamestown. Our 
journey was pleasant. The whole country was illuminated 
with joy; flags and haindkerchiefs were waving from almost 
every house, mingled with cheers and tears. 

As you know we thought we were going to Elmira or New 
York to camp, but when we came to Elmira we received orders 
to go to Harrisburg, Pa., hut we were disappointed in that. We 
had orders again to go to Washington. So we came on to Balti- 
more Sunday about daylight, the 14th, and to Washington at 2 
o'clock the same day. At 6 we had supper — the hot coffee, fat 
pork and bread. Next morning went up to see the Capitol. It 
is a pretty big house, a great deal of work laid out on it, and 
the park is worth looking at, but now they use some of the 
apartments for hospital, and in one apartment they bake 
bread for 75,-000 soldiers every day. 

At 5 o'clock we were packed on two steamboats and the 16th 
at dusk we came to Ft. Monroe, where we stayed over night. 
In the morning we started for Norfolk and landed about 11 
o'clock. We then took the railroad in the afternoon and came 
here about dusk. And as soon as we came we had orders to 
be ready in case of attack which was expected within 48 
hours, so we had no rest that night. It took us until 2 o'clock 
to get our equipments with 60 rounds of ammunition to every 



66 The Neil Family 

man. Then we lay down to sleep, our guns at our sides. At 
4 o'clock we were drawn up in line of battle, but as the picket 
guard was not disturbed by daylight, we spent the rest of the 
day at our pleasure. We now have our tents up and are fixing 
our camp and cutting away the woods for the artillery to go 
through. We are in camp here about 15,000 men. Troops are 
coming daily. Give my respects to all friends, but my heart 
and love is always with you, dear wife and children, and I 
know you always remember me as a dear father and husband. 

AUG. NEIL. 



From letter dated Suffolk, Nov. 25, 1862: 

I would like to be home with my wife and children and live 
a domestic life, where we should need no roll-call, no drum to 
wake me in the morning, but be waked by the sweet music of 
the birds in the maples, but I enlisted as a soldier under the 
banner of our country and what a soldier has to endure I could 
see 'before me. I want to live and serve till we shall see the 
sun of freedom shine all over this land, and the flag of stars 
and stripes shall float in triumph in every state. If I was sent 
home now 1 could not stay there. It would be no comfort to 
me to be up in Chautauqua and know that so many thousand 
were down south trying to overthrow our government, and not 
be one of those who stand up for its protection. May God help 
us all. May we soon see the day when freedom shall be de- 
clared and liberty proclaimed to all, black and white. 



Suffolk, Jan. 25, 186^. 
Dear Wife and Children: — 

I received your letter last Fridav and was glad to hear that 
you are all blessed with health. I have reason to thank God 
for good health and protection from the many different dis- 
eases which prevail here, and are connected with camp life. 



The Neil Family 67 

Our regiment is in better health now than it has heen since 
we came here, but there are some that ought to he discharged, 
■but Dr. Washburn does not know what is best for the men. I 
know it would he best for himself and the government to send 
them home. I supopse you are out of money, but we expect to 
get our pay tomorrow or the next day. I hope we do so you 
can have some. Don't send any bed quilt to me. I have 
enough clothing and hlankets to take care of and it will soon 
be warm here. They begin to plant corn the first of 'March. 
But it will be of no use for the farmers to plant corn or any- 
thing else if we stay here. 

Last Saturday I was out in the woods cutting down trees. I 
thought we were putting down the rebellion. I do not know 
what the tall proud pitch pine had done unless they had rebelled. 
Down they had to come for northern men's axes and bow their 
elevated heads to the ground. It is time now to close. Good 
bye, we have not got our pay yet. 

AUG. NEIL. 



Suffolk. .Ian. 12, 1S63. 

Dear Wife: — 

I calculated to write a letter yesterday hut had no time. It 
was no day of rest if it was Sunday. You know we started on 
a march last Thursday morning. We were ready at daybreak 
and took the Southquay road. When we got about 2 mi. from 
Saiffolk we'halted and the 130 X. Y. Regt. passed us, but the 
General Adjt. told our Colonel to move on. The word came 
forward, and we passed them again a mile and a half farther 
out, where we halted again; loaded our guns. Then came the 
11 Pa. Cavalry past us. Col. Spear at their head. Then came 
Howard with his hattery of 6 cannon, next to him our Regt. 
started next to us the 130X. Y.and next a drafted Pa. Regt. then 
one Regt. of Gen. Corkeran's Legion. We moved on a nice com- 
pany of us. the cavalry scouting ahead on every road to see if 
we could not find some rebels somewhere. 



Q^ The Neil Family 

We stopped a few times thro' the day and ate some of our 
hard tack and filled our canteens with water. About 4 o'clock 
we camped about 4 mi. from Southquay, and 15 mi. from Suf- 
folk. We stacked arms, took off our load, made a fire, cook- 
ed our coffee and ate supper. The camp guard was formed, 
the pickets stationed and the scouting parties sent out for the 
night. We put up our tents and went to sleep with the order 
to fall in line of battle if we heard a bugle or drum or report 
of a gun thro' the night, but we were not disturbed. They took 
one rebel on the picket line that night, but he was a citizen. 
He had on a summer coat and it was a cold night. Our sol- 
diers asked him if he did not want a coat or blanket to put on, 
but he said if it belonged to the Union he did not. 

One man lived a little way from camp said that he was a cit- 
izen and did not take the oath of allegiance. The boys did not 
spare his property. He had just killed a dozen hogs and the 
pork was in the corn house. The boys took the whole of it 
and killed four more fat hogs in the pen and took all of his 
chickens and killed 20 sheep in the field and took all of his 
corn and corn stalks for the horses; took 3 horses, one nice 
carriage and one cart from that poor fellow. 

The next morning we waited there until 10 o'clock, the cav- 
alry scouting the roads around us, but found no rebel forces 
and no rebel pickets toward Southquay, so the generals made 
up their minds that there were no rebel forces there. So we 
started back one mile to a four corners in the road. (The 
rebel general had sent word to Colonel Spear if he came up to 
that guide post he would attack him.) There we were drawn 
up in line of battle, then stacked arms, made fire and cooked 
coffee, but no rebels came. One farmer lived there, but he 
made up his mind to be a Union man and so nothing was dis- 
turbed of his property. 

At 12 o'clock we were called to attention and started for 
Cassville, 5 mi. west of us. We left the drafted regiment and 
the regiment of Corkeran's men at that coineis and the cavalry 
and artillery and the 112 and 130 infantry started for Cass- 



The Neil Family 69 

ville, the cavalry scouting ahead. We stopped at Cassville 
one-half hour, when some of the cavalry came in and reported 
that the rebels were in camp west of us, ahout 5,i0'00 of them. 

I presume we would have attacked them had not Gem Peck 
sent despatch for us to come to Suffolk. So back we went. 
When we came to the four corners our whole force kept 
straight ahead to the east 3 -mi. farther and camped after 
dark ************ 



Bermuda Hundred, June 21. 
Dear Wife and Children: — 

I must try to write a few lines to let you know how I am. 
Thank God I can say that I feel pretty well. He has been, with 
me and protected me thro' many dangers. Many of my com- 
rades have fallen but I am still in the land of the living. I was 
wounded while on picket duty, the 2d inst. The bullet cut a 
gash 2 in. long and about a half-inch deep on the back of my 
arm between the hand and the elbow. It is not very sore now 
— is healing fast. 

I was in the hospital until last Saturday, but they were mov- 
ing around so often it was better to 'be there than with the reg- 
iment, so I asked the doctor to give me a pass to the regiment. 

Solomon is washing. Last Sunday Solomon and I went up 
to the convalescent camp to see Henry. He was sick. I think 
he had fever. Yesterday I went up to see him hut he was not 
there. He had been sent to some hospital. No fighting now 
for a few days. I must close, my arm is getting tired. 

I hope these lines will find you in good health, which is the 

best thing we can have in this world. 

From your dear husband, 

AUGUST NEIL. 



70 The Neil Family 

EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS WRITTEN TO AUGUSTUS 
NEIL BY HIS WIFE IN WAR TIMES. 

I shall send your vest and socks before long. I cannot get 
any yarn to knit your gloves so I will buy some already knit 
of homespun yarn, so they will be durable. 

Rolls are a dollar a pound. Everything is up. Cotton cloth 
from 20' to 30 cents a yard and calico 18 and 20 cents, and ev- 
everythingelse accordingly. Some say everything is going up, 
country and all. 



I have stayed alone nearly every night since you left for the 
camp at Jamestown, and I think I am growing braver. I am 
not much afraid of the cow, at least. Oh, if you knew how 
lonely our home is without you. If I would give up I could sit 
down every day and cry myself sick, and my heart might sink 
within me. But the Lord sustains me. It is a time for prayer. 
May He, who has all power, defend you from all the perils of 
war. 

My dear kind husband, in God alone we trust, and fear not 
the face of clay. 



I have sold some butter to buy candles. Kerosene oil has 
been $1 a gallon; it is now 75 cents. I h^ve bought some but 
once since you went away. I have got $6 left. I suppose I can 
collect some of those owing you. I shall not starve anyway, 
and I think we can stand it until you get your pay. Be as care- 
ful of j'our health as your circumstances will allow. 

Good night, dear Augustus, from your wife, 

URANA. 



INDEX. 



Nils Frederick, Christina his wife 3-6 

Children of Nils Frederick and Christina 

Daniel 4 

Carl John 4-7-10-11-17-19 

Adolph Frederick 4-6-7-10-13-14-24 

Louisa 4-8-10 

Augustus 5 

Augustus 5-7-8-9-13-17-19-20-24 

Children of Carl John and Louisa Neil 

Christina Sophia 7 

Caroline Sophia 7-10 

Emma 7-28 

Charles Oscar 7-25 

John August 7-10 

Anna Louisa 11 

Joseph 13-32 

Sarah Urana 13-34 

Ida Farmelia 13-37 

Julia Gertrude 13 

Grandchildren of Carl John or Charles and Louisa Neil: — 

Children of Oscar and Christina Neil 

Charles Luther 26 

Julia Louisa 26 

Children of Oscar and Amelia Augusta Kofod Neil 

Carl 26 

Amel 26 

Julia Matine 26 

Carl Amel 26 

Lillie Anna Florence 28 

Theodore 28 

Hazel Frances 28 

Oscar Frank 28 

Alice Amelia 28 

Blanche 28 

Alida Louisa 28 

Nina Nellie 28 

Roy 28 

Daughter of Joseph and Christine Neil 

Nellie Emma Louisa 34 



72 The Neil Family 

Children of Sarah Urana and Charles Walburg 

Charles William 35 

Alma Louisa 35 

Ida Helena 35 

Fred 35 

Children of Ida Parmelia and Henry Carlson 

Minnie Elizabeth 38 

Charles xMartin 39 

Esther Louisa 39 

Henry Milton 39 

Robert Stanley 39 

Wilber Llewellyn 39 

Ralph Theodore ■ 39 

Great grandchildren of Charles and Louisa Neil: — 

Daughter of Alma Louise and Jay Holbrook 

Bernice Louisa 35 

Son of Fred and Jennie Walburg 

Charles Andrew 35 

Children of Adolph Frederick and Anna Katherine Neil 

Karl Frederick 8 

Gustaf Alfred 8-10 

John Frederick 13-40 

Emma Christina 13 

Carl August 13 

Johanna Sophia 13 

Oscar Henrik 13-41 

Emma Matilda 14-43 

Victor Adolph 14-49 

Grandchildren of Adolph Frederick aud Anna Kathrina Neil 

Daughter of John Frederick and Betsey Peterson Neil 

Florence Olivia 40 

Children of John Frederick and Mary Clansen Neil 

Nannie Elvina 40 

Agnes Elida 41 

Fred Edmund 41 

Rudolph Henry 41 

Linda Chrii^tina 41 

Wendell Victor 41 

Children of Emma Matilda and George Solburg 

Esther Cathrina 44 

Ohif Eihvard Adolph 44 

Harold Frithiof 44 

Clara Elizabeth 45 

Helen Christina 45 

Knute Victor 45 

Anna Marie. 45 

Emma Georgiana 46 



The Neil Family 73 

"Children of Oscar Henrik and Jennie Sarah Neil 

Albert Frederick 43 

Rosa Evangeline 43 

Clarence Adolphus 43 

Great grandchildren of Adolph Frederick and Anna Katherina 
Neil:— 

Children of Florence Olivia and Tom Fisher 

Roy Allen 40 

Florence Lottie 40 

Children of Augustus and Urana Miami Neil 

Lois Evangeline 17-52 

Pearl Selma 17-52-53 

Rosa Ruth 21-54-57 

Grant Earl 21-60 

Charles Frederick 21-61 

Nellie Narcissi 22 

Daniel Augustus 22-61 

Grandchildren of Augustus and Urana Miami Neil: — 

Children of Pearl Selma and Warren Everett 

Carl Augustus 53-54 

Harry Delmont 53-54 

Burt Neil 53-54 

Children of Rosa Ruth and Fred Crandall 

Katie Dorcas 56-57 

Clifford Neil 56-57-58 

Glen Gilbert 56-59-60 

Urana Ruth 56-57 

Lois Pearl 52-56 

James Gerald 56 

Irving Augustus 56 

Children of Grant Earl and Lillie Neil 

Bessie Neil 60 

James Dewey 61 

Hazel 61 

Sadie 61 

Children of Charles Frederick and Inez Genevera Neil 

Ashton Sterns 61 

Helen Urana 61 

Dorothy Ruth 61 

Great grandchildren of Augustus and Urana Miami Neil: — 

Children of Katie Dorcas and Newell Pease 

Gladys 57 

Ralph Harold 57 

Son of Carl and Linda Everett 

Curtis Roland 54 



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